Fire Hose Care, Handling & Maintenance

North American Fire Hose Corporation is committed to providing the highest quality raw material, unique designs features, and special manufacturing methods in producing our attack line hose and large diameter hose. Our goal is to provide superior performance, low maintenance, and long service life.

The following care, handling, and maintenance guidelines were prepared to provide information to both first-time hose users, as well as to departments that are experienced in the use of hose lines.

Dragging Attack Line Hose or Large Diameter Hose (LDH)

Avoid dragging hose along its edge or fold, as this action concentrates abrasion of the outer jacket in the folded area. More

Loading Hose into the Apparatus Hose Bed

Only hose that is thoroughly dried should be reloaded in the hose bed and stored for a prolonged period of time. More

Special Precautions for Preserving the Hose Compartment and Hose

The hose should be loaded in a manner to allow for air to freely circulate between the hose bed and the hose to prevent rusting, corrosion or rotting of the hose bed. More

Storage of Fire Hose

All hose shall be kept out of direct sunlight and in a well-ventilated location. All hose shall be drained and thoroughly dried before being placed in storage. More

Coupling Damage Due to Hose Deployment

Care must be taken when laying hose onto the street from a hose bed to prevent the couplings from being damaged by flipping up and striking the hand rail or by dropping too hard onto the apparatus tailboard or onto the street. Also, care should be taken to avoid dropping the couplings onto a hard surface when disconnecting the hose after use.

Driving Over Hose and Use of Hose Bridges

Hose bridges should be used whenever it is necessary for vehicles to drive over any fire hose, to prevent damaging either the couplings or hose. NFPA states: Vehicles shall not be driven over charged or uncharged fire hose unless the hose is bridged and the vehicle has sufficient ground clearance to cross the bridged hose. [NFPA 1962, Care, Use, Inspection, Testing, and Replacement of Hose, Couplings, Nozzles and Appliances, 2013 Edition: 4.1.1 Damage Prevention 4.1.11.2]

Hydrant Connections

When attaching the hose to a hydrant, allow for enough slack to permit a smooth bend radius from the hydrant. Also, open the hydrant slowly to minimize any water hammer effects.

Pumper Connections

Allow for enough slack in the hose to permit a smooth bend radius to the pumper connection.

Relay Applications for Large Diameter Hose (LDH)

When relaying water from a pumper near the water source to another pumper, the inlet or suction side of the pump receiving the relay should be equipped with a relief valve to reduce and control any water hammer effects. More

Reloading and Coiling Procedures - All Fire Hose

After shutting off all pumps and hydrants, but prior to breaking loose any of the couplings, the normal twisting that occur when the hose is pressurized should be removed. More

Inspection and Service Testing

The hose shall be inspected and service tested annually per NFPA 1962 Standard for the Inspection, Care, and Use of Fire Hose, Couplings, and Nozzles and the Service Testing of Fire Hose, Latest Edition. More

Hose Repair

To maintain the Warranty provided by North American Fire Hose, repairs will be limited to coupling attachment replacements, provided the person conducting the repair has attended the Coupling Attachment Hands-on Instructional Class at North American Fire Hose's facility. More